Another little festive offering for you. Not quite sure where this one came from, but I am a tad worried about my subconscious. Enjoy!

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A Dressing Down

Chapter 1

"Come on, Guv. It's for charity."

"Will yer give it up, Madam Fruitcake? Yer go on longer than bloody War an' Peace."

"But …"

"No, Drake. How many times? I am not doin' it."

She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow.

"Just what are you so afraid of, Gene? That you might actually enjoy it?"

He glowered at her, pout firmly in place.

"Not goin' ter 'appen, Bolly. End of."

She crossed her arms. Time to bring out the big guns.

"The Commissioner thought it was a brilliant idea …"

His mouth dropped open.

"Wot?"

She smiled smugly.

"He asked me to go ahead and organise it, so I have. And he's expecting you and Ray to make an appearance."

He stood and moved round the desk, stopping mere inches from her and the air crackled with sexual tension. His fists were clenched, his piercing blue eyes blazed with anger and she felt her insides turn to liquid. Gene Hunt in full Alpha-male mode was a sight to behold.

"I swear to hell, one of these days, Drake …"

He almost spat it at her. She leaned in so they were practically nose to nose, holding his gaze defiantly.

"What, Guv? You going to teach me a lesson? Put me over your knee, maybe?"

His eyes darkened and he looked down at her mouth and back up. She could feel the heat radiating from him and for a split second she thought he was going to kiss her, but he just pushed past her and strode out of CID without another word.

She sat down on his desk shakily. She knew she shouldn't have gone over his head, but it was for a good cause and everyone else was up for it.

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He spent the next couple of days giving her the silent treatment, but she was too busy with all the arrangements to worry much about it. They only had the club for two nights, one for a full rehearsal and one for the actual performance, so she hoped everyone had learnt their lines and tried their costumes on.

She knew the Commissioner had been on to give him a pep-talk so she was pretty sure he'd turn up, but what kind of a mood he'd be in was anybody's guess. It was almost inevitable he'd find some novel way to punish her for forcing him into this. Maybe he would put her over his knee after all. A bolt of desire ran through her at the thought and she shook herself mentally. Get some therapy, Alex.

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The rehearsal went remarkably well, with most people being word perfect and only a couple of prompts required. Gene and Ray both turned up and made it through their lines, and Ray even seemed to be getting into the spirit of it as the evening wore on. She hoped he would be as good during the actual performance.

"Well done, Ray, you were great. Really."

She patted him on the back, and he grinned.

"Quite enjoyed it, ter be honest. Not so sure about the Guv, mind."

He nodded at Gene's retreating back, and she rolled her eyes.

"I really hoped he'd make the effort, but it's not looking good, is it? Maybe when he's in costume and facing an audience."

Ray shruggled.

"I wouldn't hold yer breath, Ma'am …"

Afterwards, they all beat a retreat to Luigi's for a well-earned drink, but there was no sign of Gene.

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With fifteen minutes till curtain up, the backstage area seemed to be in complete chaos, but it was all coming together slowly. Shaz made a lovely Cinderella and Chris was perfect as Buttons, even though he was clearly a nervous wreck. She was Prince Charming, following the tradition of the male lead being played by a woman, and she thought she looked quite fetching in her long jacket, breeches and thigh boots. She couldn't wait to see Gene's face. Actually, she couldn't wait to see Gene in costume. He and Ray had the dressing room furthest away from the stage, and neither of them had emerged as yet.

With five minutes to go, she went to investigate and turned a corner to be greeted by a sight she'd never imagined seeing in her wildest dreams. She bit her lip to prevent herself laughing out loud.

"Oh my God! You look fantastic, both of you. Honestly."

She had to admit, it was one of her better ideas casting Ray and Gene as the ugly sisters.

Ray grinned and simpered at her, fluttering his false eyelashes and patting down his bright green dress.

"Oh, Prince Charming. I do hope my foot fits the glass slipper. I'm sure we'll live happily ever after."

He was brilliant, and she got a fit of the giggles as he winked at her. Gene, who was resplendent in a deep blue satin that matched his eyes, said nothing until he passed close by her.

"Yer gonna suffer fer this, Bols. You just bloody wait …"

His breath was warm on her neck and she shivered. There was something very wrong with being overwhelmingly attracted to a man in drag, even if that man was Gene Hunt.

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Poor Gene. What has that naughty Alex done to him? Somehow, I have a feeling he'll get his revenge, even if it is Christmas …
All reviews are more than welcome. And please don't hit me, I promise it will get better for him!